Proposed 'Sunshine Ordinance' heads to City Hall next week

June 1, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Luis Sarmiento was one of the speakers explaining the "Sunshine Ordinance." RON GONZALES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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About 60 people attended a community forum on Thursday, May 31 2012 at Kidworks in Santa Ana. They heard an update on a proposed "Sunshine Ordinanc"e for the city of Santa Ana that's backed by the Santa Ana Collaborative for Responsible Development (SACReD), whose members wore red t-shirts. RON GONZALES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Santa Ana Councilman Sal Tinajero spoke before a crowd assembled to hear about Santa Ana's proposed "Sunshine Ordinance," thanking them and organizers for their efforts. RON GONZALES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Reyna Lopez addresses the crowd at Kidworks about the proposed "Sunshine Ordinance." RON GONZALES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The Ballet Folklorico of Kidworks performed before a group assembled to hear about Santa Ana's proposed "Sunshine Ordinance." RON GONZALES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Dancers for Ballet Folklorico of Kidworks smiled for the crowd assembled to hear about a proposed "Sunshine Ordinance" for Santa Ana. RON GONZALES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Apolonio Cortes spoke about such issues as pre-meetings for larger projects to discuss their impacts. RON GONZALES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Antonio Bugarin talked about the imporance of increased notification for people living near proposed developments. RON GONZALES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Analidia Tutila discussed the issues of budget ourtreach meetings and better access to the request-for-proposal process. RON GONZALES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Vicky Salgado adddressed such issues as a lobbyist registry for Santa Ana. RON GONZALES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

SANTA ANA – A coalition of Santa Ana groups is preparing to take a proposed "Sunshine Ordinance" to a City Council committee next week, and held a second community forum to update residents on the reform measure.

About 60 people attended a community forum Thursday evening at Kidworks.

The Santa Ana Collaborative for Responsible Development (SACReD) plans to air the proposal for the City Council's ethics committee on Thursday.

With the committee's approval, said Ana Urzua, the proposed measure would go to the City Council, which, if it approves, would send the proposal to the city attorney's office to draft as an ordinance. Proponents are hoping for City Council approval of the measure by July.

"The only way to improve the community is through transparency," he said. "It's needed so that the community can have the sense that elected officials are here to understand and respond to what's needed in the community."

Reyna Lopez, one of the organizers, said the City Council alone can't create a better community. Residents, she said, need to do more than point fingers at what's frustrating to them.

"It's important for us to help our council members and bring forth what worries us," she said.

Several members of SACReD outlined pieces of the proposal at the forum.

They include:

Pre-meetings around larger development projects to allow the public to discuss jobs, housing and open space before a public hearing is scheduled.

Increased notification around development projects to inform residents and businesses near a proposed development.

Better access to the request-for-proposal process to allow the public to see who is voting on projects involving taxpayer dollars.

A public registry of lobbyists doing business with the city.

Public access to City Council calendars.

An oversight commission of residents to ensure government is functioning properly.

Budget outreach hearings in the community to provide more opportunities for the public to understand and shape the budget.

Public priority hearings at which residents could help prioritize city programs.

Organizers said the city's ethics committee will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 7 in the Santa Ana Police Community Room, 60 Civic Center Plaza.

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